NSW Department of Primary Industries, Lord Howe Island Marine Park News, The Lord Howe Island Signal
Recovery of seagrass and coral around lagoon moorings has occurred since new environmentally friendly designs were installed. The new Marine Flex moorings use heavy-duty elastic, rather than relying on lifting heavy chain for shock absorption. This allows coral and seagrass to grow around the base of the mooring, where it would otherwise be damaged by the chain.
Mooring scour (left) and seagrass recovery (right) following installation of an environmentally friendly mooring in the lagoon. Photos: NSW DPI
Two trial units were installed in the lagoon in late 2021, and already there has been 100 per cent recovery of seagrass where there was previously a sand scour around one, and growth of coral around the other where there was previously rubble. Five additional units were installed in late 2022 and there are also early signs of recovery at these sites.
Other benefits of the new moorings include less noise pollution (no clanking chain), which improves recruitment and survival of fish and coral, and provides a better experience for divers and snorkellers. The units are also less susceptible to wear and require less ongoing maintenance.
This article appeared in The Lord Howe Island Signal, 31 July 2023.
